Let’s use this analogy to see how to prioritize your to-do list

Let’s say you’re putting together a new offer. It’s really tough to know how to prioritize the mile-long to-do list you’ve put together!

All you can think about is:

“I have so much to do, I don’t know where to start”

“I don’t know if I’m working on the right thing right now”

“Where’s that bottle of wine I bought last week?”

Rather than sinking into a grouchy, unproductive state, I want to show you how to prioritize your to-dos with the “Dinner Solutions 1-2-3” approach.

Phase 1: Need fast progress? Focus on the must-haves

This is the “I need to see if this idea will work” version of your project. Otherwise known as Dinner Solution 1: No time, no fuss. Plain pasta that solves the immediate hunger problem.

It’s also known as a Minimum Viable Product.

Let’s say you’re testing a new course idea. In keeping with our theme, we’ll make it a course about quick dinners you can make in 15 minutes or less.

You don’t have a lot of time available to create an elaborate solution. But …

You must know if your audience will respond to this idea before you invest a lot of time and energy developing it.

So you create a “Phase 1” version of your product — in this case, it’s a simple ebook.

You create it, promote it, and get feedback.

Some of the feedback is positive. Some of it stings.

But it all helps you see what your ideal customer really needs. And what they need is what you’ll create in Phase 2, when you have a little more time.

Phase 2: Have more time? Add some nice-to-haves

This is the “it will work better if I add this” version, otherwise known as Dinner Solution #2: Dress up the basics. This is pasta with some add-ins to make it more interesting, delicious, and memorable.

In the case of the project, you add a planner to the cookbook.

The planner has a calendar to use for weekly menu planning, space for notes, and a shopping list creator.

You offer this version of the product and go through the process of promoting, gathering feedback, and improving.

Once you’re convinced this idea has taken hold, you move on to Phase 3.

Phase 3: Want to make it memorable? Build in some extras

This is the “in the future it will look like this” version. Per our previous example, it’s Dinner Solution #3: The full solution. Also known as pasta, sauce, cheese, salad, bruschetta, and wine. A full meal!

Since we have thoroughly tested our idea, we feel confident about spending time and effort developing and selling a video component.

In this version, we show exactly how dishes are made. We include demonstrations of cooking techniques. We hold live question and answer sessions or make ourselves available for “cooking consults” once a week.

Warning! Don’t create a Phase 3 solution for an untested idea

When you look around to see what others in your space are doing, you’re probably seeing a lot of Phase 3 solutions.

These are product and service offerings that have been created over time. If they survive through phases 1 and 2, they may become quite well known once they reach Phase 3.

It might be tempting to model your new idea after these fully-developed projects. Don’t do it.

Instead, think about your favorite idea.

Map out a Phase 1 solution you can test.

If the idea flies, add to it in Phase 2.

And if the idea really takes off, devote the time and energy needed to create a full-fledged Phase 3 solution.

This is how you’ll make massive progress on your next big idea.

Here’s how to prioritize your to-do list: Take a deep breath and tackle it with a Phase 1-2-3 approach so you can get your project out into the world!

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Pamela Wilson is an author, keynote speaker, online educator, and the founder of BIG Brand System. Discover how to build your online business without the overwhelm with her FREE course, Plan & Grow BIG.

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5 thoughts on “How to Prioritize Your To-Do List and Make Massive Progress”

Hi Pamela! You had me at “hangry.” 😉 What a wonderful analogy for how to prioritize work projects. Loved every word! Thanks for the fresh and fun perspective. (Although, I will now not rest until I have a bowl of pasta.)

Here’s the thing — that super simple and plain pasta dish (Phase 1) still does the job. That’s the part that is confusing about Minimum Viable Products — even though they’re simple, they have to deliver a real solution.

Stumbled on this article – loved it! I’m VERY guilty of looking at full blown stage 3 projects and feeling like that’s what I need to have completed before I put it out in the world. Think I’ll test out a Minimum Viable Project to deliver a real solution and see how it flies. Thanks.